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Charlotte Baker, Franklin, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, 1822
Made in 1822 by Charlotte Baker, this stunning family register sampler is in its outstanding original carved walnut frame. It features the fine neo-classical composition which became popular in New England, and which can be found on some of the finest genealogical samplers. A rich green lawn with a small memorial embellishes the bottom of the sampler and a pair of stately architectural columns rise above, connected by an archway that encompasses the calligraphic title, "Family Register." The needlework is tight and excellent throughout, worked in a shimmering and lustrous palette. Charlotte Baker descended from Richard Baker (1614-1689) of Kent Co., England who sailed on the ship Bachelor in 1635 as the First Mate. He became the owner of considerable real estate in Dorchester, Massachusetts and The Genealogy of Richard Baker, indicates that he was a man of "great courage and of skill and resources in the mariner's art." Charlotte was the daughter of David and Jemima (Richardson) Baker. Her father was a farmer who was active in civic activities and a member of the School Committee of Franklin. He married Jemima Richardson in Franklin in 1804 and Charlotte was the 2nd of their 7th children, born in 1807. Charlotte worked this sampler 19 years old. In 1830 she married Rev Asa Hixson of Medway, Mass., a graduate of Brown University, class of 1825, with a chosen profession of the ministry. Substantial information about Rev. Hixon was published in The History of Medway, Massachusetts; he became pastor of a church in Oakham, a small village just northwest of Worcester, Massachusetts. They had one child, a son, David Baker Hixon, born in 1843. Ill health on the part of Rev. Hixson compelled the family to move back to Franklin and he died in 1862. The sampler was worked in silk on linen and is in excellent condition. It has been conservation mounted and is in its superb original carved walnut frame with applied brass corner elements. |
